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In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly Donald Trump's chief strategist, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The event was interrupted by hundreds of protesters, and Bannon, scheduled to travel that night, informed Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down speech I doubt I can catch the flight we are heading to the airport".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a Gulf Air that leaves at 9:50 with a layover in Bahrain". Bannon answered: "You are an excellent helper".

These exchanges were published on this week together with over 20,000 pages from the estate of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The release by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is redacted. The BBC managed to establish his involvement by cross-referencing the timeline, events, and places mentioned.

For instance, Epstein discusses chartering a jet from the UK for the redacted user in the messages, and commends their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the Edinburgh conference on November 14, and gave the speech at the Oxford two days later.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

Epstein's Assurance to Bannon

Bannon served as Trump's closest aides in the run up to the presidential election and in the early days of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in 2017.

He has admitted he was producing a documentary about Epstein prior to his passing and allegedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a live taping of his show recently, he said: "We're going to release the series, the five-part series, next year - at the start of next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's connection with Epstein went further than being his biographer, with the disgraced financier at times seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time before the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have booked a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein said: "what's it like to have the most highly paid travel agent in the world ".

Bannon thanked him: "U r pretty good assistant", to which Epstein replied "Therapies. Excluded".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein assured Bannon: "I'll make sure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Mentioned in Messages

The released communications also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

On the same day his speech at the Oxford, Bannon messaged Epstein: "I became involved in the EU exit issue this day with Farage, Johnson and Rees Mogg."

Then, in what appears to be a reference to the UK prime minister, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein suggested Bannon: "I think staying as long as you can in the UK. Ideal- so people see the dedication of your follow-up."

Shortly after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may survive". Bannon replied: "It seems unlikely however the guys over here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after withstanding multiple attempts of lack of support in late 2018.

A representative for Reform UK informed the BBC: "Nigel Farage has not been in a meeting with Bannon, Jacob Rees Mogg and Boris Johnson." And there is nothing to suggest that encounter took place.

The US House of Representatives will decide next week on whether the Department of Justice should make public all its records concerning its investigation into Epstein, who passed away in prison in that year.

Attention in Epstein's associations with influential individuals was reignited this week after the publication of more than 20,000 pages from his estate.

A portion of those referenced the former president, who has repeatedly rejected any wrongdoing. The president was a friend of Epstein's for a long time, but says they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested.